Novel Full Chapter 143: Fate
Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Fate
Two explosions erupted down the street, the shockwaves echoing between the empty buildings.
Fragments and smoke blasted outward, tearing through the group of pursuing infected. Several were torn apart mid-leap as a string of notifications flickered in Jaxon’s mind, but he ignored them completely.
The Hilux was already skidding toward them.
“Jaxon!” Natasha called from the roof as she steadied her rifle.
Jaxon gave her only a brief glance. “I’ll explain later!”
The pickup slowed just enough. “Get in, quick!” Jaxon barked.
Cindy scrambled into the back seat first, dragging Na-rin in after her. The moment they were inside, Jaxon grabbed the edge of the truck bed and threw himself over it in one smooth motion. “Go, go, go!”
Isabel didn’t hesitate. She slammed the accelerator as she spun the wheel sharply. The engine roared as the Hilux surged forward, tires screeching as it shot down the road and away from the city blocks.
Behind them, thick smoke from the explosions drifted through the street. Then shapes began emerging from it.
One after another, the infected burst through the haze, sprinting and leaping as they resumed the chase.
“Everyone, fire everything you’ve got!” Jaxon barked, rifle appearing in his hands as he fired controlled bursts behind them.
“Cindy, contact the military. Tell them what’s happening here.”
Cindy quickly grabbed the radio again.
“Inform them the infected are gathering in this city,” Jaxon continued, eyes locked on the road behind them. “And tell them there’s something leading them.”
Natasha fired another precise shot from the roof hatch with her DMR.
CRACK! An infected collapsed instantly.
Na-rin leaned out the side window, firing her pistol as the wind whipped through her hair.
Spent casings scattered across the truck bed as Jaxon continued firing bursts into the pursuing swarm.
But even as they sped away the horde behind them was still growing.
…
Meanwhile, inside the main command building of the Mongoloid Safe Zone, an emergency meeting was already underway.
The meeting room was large, its high ceiling and polished floors giving it a formal, almost oppressive atmosphere.
Several long tables had been arranged in a wide circle at the center of the room. Seated around them were people who held real authority within the safe zone, executives in tailored suits wearing the distinctive golden wristbands, senior military officers in uniform, and squad commanders from the various combat units.
Despite the number of people present, the room was silent.
Emergency meetings like this were never called without reason. When one happened, it usually meant something had gone terribly wrong or was about to.
At the front of the room, a man in his early fifties slowly stood up.
His white hair was neatly combed back, and his dark suit was pressed perfectly, without a wrinkle. His calm expression and steady posture carried a quiet weight that made people instinctively pay attention.
Director Han, the head of the Safe Zone Council, and the man with the highest authority within Mongoloid Safe Zone.
He looked around the room briefly, making sure everyone’s attention was on him before he spoke. “We’ve just received a report from the runner team we sent into Ironpoint City.”
The room grew even quieter. Several people leaned forward slightly.
“They have confirmed our earlier suspicions,” Director Han continued. “The infected inside the city are not behaving randomly.”
A faint murmur moved through the room before quickly dying down.
“There appears to be an intelligent leader among them,” he said calmly. “Something beyond the usual Alpha or variant types we’ve encountered.”
A few people shifted uneasily in their seats.
Director Han folded his hands behind his back as he continued. “This entity is able to communicate with the infected through a method we do not yet understand. As a result, the infected are now gathering… and moving with coordination.”
One of the executives leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. “You’re saying they have a command structure now?”
“Not exactly,” Director Han replied. “But they are clearly being directed.”
Another officer crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “The infected have been evolving incredibly fast. It’s been only a few months, and we’re seeing variants commanding hundreds of infected, not to mention the noticeable increase in their instincts and awareness. But communication between them? That’s never been proven.”
Han nodded slightly. “That is correct. But the reports we’ve gathered show something different. Infected retreating even when a living human is directly in front of them… attacks being directed toward specific targets, like the train headed for Mongoloid… These infected are showing organized movement, even without a variant present to lead them.”
A man in a crisp military uniform spoke next, his tone blunt. “Then the solution is simple. Destroy the city.”
Heads turned sharply toward him.
The speaker was General Jang, commander of the external defense forces. He leaned back in his chair, unbothered by the attention. “The drones we sent earlier were destroyed almost immediately. The infected targeted them deliberately. That alone proves the threat is growing.”
One of the executives spoke up, voice tinged with caution. “Even so… Ironpoint is one of the largest cities in the region. Factories, warehouses, advanced tech… wiping it out would be a massive waste of resources.”
General Jang gave him a cold, sharp look. “Then you can go retrieve them yourself.”
The executive bristled. “That’s not what I meant…”
“Then don’t suggest sending soldiers to die over scrap metal,” Jang cut him off flatly.
The tension in the room rose as voices began overlapping.
“We should send the elite units. Recon teams…”
“That would be suicide,” another officer snapped.
“We cannot destroy an entire city that quickly,” someone else argued.
“And we cannot allow the infected to evolve further,” a third added.
Arguments bounced back and forth, growing louder.
Then… “Silence.” Director Han’s voice echoed through the room. The chatter died instantly as he placed both hands on the table and looked around the room.
“General Jang is correct about one thing. Ironpoint City has no confirmed survivors.” He paused, letting the words settle. “Sending more teams to extract resources would risk unnecessary casualties. The infected population is too large. We would be sending soldiers to their deaths.”
One of the commanders spoke carefully, voice low but steady. “Then… what is your decision, Director?”
Director Han’s gaze shifted to the holographic map of the city hovering above the table. He studied it briefly, then looked back at the room “The fate of Ironpoint City is decided,” he said quietly. “We will destroy it.”